Freeze Control
 

Is it possible to use 1 mil.translucent
polyethylene sheeting to protect plants from
frost or freeze in early spring?

This year my backyard vineyard took a big hit
during Easter Week. We had about 4 days of temps
down to 28 degrees.

My vines were just getting ready for bud break.
The freezes killed 95% of my fruiting buds on
last years shoots (pruned to spurs). I have a
lot of canopy this year but it is from buds on
"Old" wood - wood older that last years growth
and these shoots do not produce grapes.

I was thinking that next year I might try using
the sheeting over the pruned vines if there is a
threat of a freeze in early to mid April.

Any ideas whether this would work?

I have a U.S. Plastics catalog and they sell 1 mil
sheeting (9' x 400') rolls for $37.91 and 12' x
400' rolls for $50.79. They also carry the
sheeting in 2 mil, 4 mil and 6 mil thicknesses
for higher price.

If this would work, it would be worth the money to
me. I still have to maintain and spray the
vineyard this year even though I will not be
harvesting fruit. What few bunches I have, I
will donate to the birds and not even put up
netting this year.

Freeze Control
 

In article ,
"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote:

Is it possible to use 1 mil.translucent
polyethylene sheeting to protect plants from
frost or freeze in early spring?

This year my backyard vineyard took a big hit
during Easter Week. We had about 4 days of temps
down to 28 degrees.

My vines were just getting ready for bud break.
The freezes killed 95% of my fruiting buds on
last years shoots (pruned to spurs). I have a
lot of canopy this year but it is from buds on
"Old" wood - wood older that last years growth
and these shoots do not produce grapes.

I was thinking that next year I might try using
the sheeting over the pruned vines if there is a
threat of a freeze in early to mid April.

Any ideas whether this would work?

I have a U.S. Plastics catalog and they sell 1 mil
sheeting (9' x 400') rolls for $37.91 and 12' x
400' rolls for $50.79. They also carry the
sheeting in 2 mil, 4 mil and 6 mil thicknesses
for higher price.

If this would work, it would be worth the money to
me. I still have to maintain and spray the
vineyard this year even though I will not be
harvesting fruit. What few bunches I have, I
will donate to the birds and not even put up
netting this year.

Look into Remay or Reemay.. Plastic will break down in a year or two.
Remay may cost more but it will last longer.

http://www.southernexposure.com/prod...ods/81617.html

Bill who used to cover tender plants with this stuff.

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid
This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.

Freeze Control
 

William Wagner wrote:
netting this year.

Look into Remay or Reemay.. Plastic will break down in a year or two.
Remay may cost more but it will last longer.

http://www.southernexposure.com/prod...ods/81617.html

Bill who used to cover tender plants with this stuff.

Reemay is spunbonded polyester - still plastic. I cannot address this
end use but 1 mil polyethylene is awfully thin and polyethylene has poor
stability to sunlight.

Freeze Control
 

Is it possible to use 1 mil.translucent
polyethylene sheeting to protect plants from
frost or freeze in early spring?

Plastic isn't a good choice -- it may actually increase
frost damage. You might look at something like row cover --
here's a couple of sources I've found reliable:

http://www.groworganic.com/maincat/n/0067.html
http://superseeds.com/products.php?cat=19

You want the cover to completely extend to the ground.

Kay